Device including authentication glyph

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed. It includes displaying, by a device, an authentication image including a plurality of image elements comprising a set of image elements, wherein the image elements in the set of image elements are located at a set of positions on a display screen. The method also comprises receiving, at the device, a glyph having a configuration corresponding to the set of image elements from a user while the authentication image is displayed. The method further comprises determining if the glyph is authentic, and initiating a payment transaction after receiving the glyph.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application in a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/465,061, filed on May 13, 2009, which claims priority to and is anon-provisional of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/114,161,filed on Nov. 13, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of ways to authenticate individuals. One methodnormally used for identifying a user is based on a secret identificationcode, also referred to as a PIN (Personal Identification Number). In atypical transaction involving a payment card, a user enters his PIN intoa transaction terminal, which then communicates with a back end servercomputer. The back end server computer thereafter verifies that the PINcode is accurate. Although PINs are useful, there are somedisadvantages. For example, the owner of the card must memorize the PINand another person can commit fraud by stealing the PIN.

Another way to authenticate individuals is to use biometrics such asfingerprint readers. Although biometrics can be useful, there aredisadvantages. For example, biometric devices are expensive toimplement. Further, biometric data can be stolen. For example,fingerprints of individuals can be left on glasses and other objects.Such fingerprints could be replicated by others by creating fakefingerprint impressions. Like a PIN, once biometric data is stolen, itis possible for an unauthorized person to use this data to impersonate areal user.

Static signatures may also be used to authenticate a person. However, astatic signature can be forged or electronically intercepted byunauthorized persons.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems,individually and collectively.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for improved methods and devices are disclosed.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a device comprising:a processor; a display coupled to the processor; and a computer readablemedium coupled to the processor, the computer readable medium comprisingcode executable by the processor, for implementing a method comprisingdisplaying an authentication image comprising a plurality of imageelements comprising a set of image elements, wherein the image elementsin the set of image elements are located at a set of positions on adisplay screen; receiving a glyph having a configuration correspondingto the set of image elements from a user while the authentication imageis displayed; determining if the glyph is authentic; and initiating apayment transaction after receiving the glyph.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprisingdisplaying, by a device, an authentication image comprising a pluralityof image elements comprising a set of image elements, wherein the imageelements in the set of image elements are located at a set of positionson a display screen; receiving, at the device, a glyph having aconfiguration corresponding to the set of image elements from a userwhile the authentication image is displayed; determining if the glyph isauthentic; and initiating a payment transaction after receiving theglyph.

Further details regarding embodiments of the invention are providedbelow in the Detailed Description with reference to the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for registering anauthentication glyph according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method according to embodimentsof the invention.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(b) respectively show first and second authenticationimages on a phone. The authentication images comprise two dimensionalimage elements.

FIGS. 5( a)-5(b) respectively show first and second authenticationimages with three-dimensional image elements.

FIG. 6( a)-6(b) respectively show first and second two dimensional imageelements that have been manipulated.

FIG. 7 shows image elements in the form of people.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of some functional elements in a phone.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of elements in a computer apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method forauthenticating a user (e.g., a consumer) in a transaction such as apayment transaction. Although payment transactions are discussed indetail, it is understood that embodiments of the invention can be usedin other transactions such as money transfer transactions or accesstransactions (e.g., obtaining access to a particular location or venue).

The method comprises, in a first transaction, displaying a firstauthentication image comprising a plurality of image elements comprisinga set of image elements on a display screen on a device such as apersonal computer, a mobile phone, or an access device. The displayscreen can comprise a touch screen. A touch screen can allow a user toinput data into the device by contacting the screen with a finger or astylus. The image elements in the set of image elements are located at afirst set of positions on the display screen.

Any suitable type or number of image element can be displayed on thedisplay screen. Suitable image elements may comprise images of two orthree dimensional objects, or parts thereof. Examples of two dimensionalobjects might be simple shapes such as squares or circles, or streets orlandmarks on a two-dimensional map. Examples of three-dimensionalobjects may include pictures of buildings, mountains, rocks, etc.

After the first authentication image is displayed, a first glyph havinga first configuration corresponding to the set of image elements isreceived by the device while the first authentication image is displayedon the display screen. A user may use his finger or a stylus to create aglyph that corresponds to the set of image elements.

As used herein, a “glyph” can be a figure that can be drawn on thedisplay screen using a finger, stylus, cursor, or the like. A mouse orother input device can be used to create a glyph. The glyph and/or thestroke(s) used to form the glyph may be continuous or discontinuous innature, and they can be simple or complex. An example of a continuousfigure can be in the shape of a letter such as the letter “Z,” “C,” “S,”or some other complex or simple shape. An example of discontinuousstrokes used in a glyph can be a glyph in the form of the letter “X”.

Illustratively, FIG. 4( a) shows a phone 300 comprising a display screen410 coupled to a housing 304. The display screen 410 shows a firstauthentication image comprising first plurality of image elements in theform of an array of differently patterned or colored dots 302(a)-302(i).The user may enter a first glyph into the phone 300 using his finger tosequentially connect dots 302(a), 302(d), 302(g), and 302(h) to form thefirst glyph 310. The dots 302(a), 302(d), 302(g), and 302(h) can form aset of image elements. The first glyph 310 may or may not be displayedon the display screen 410. If it is not displayed on the display screen410, then the first glyph 310 would still be received by the phone 300.

After the first glyph is received by the device, the device can have anauthentication module (e.g., authentication software) whichauthenticates the user by comparing the first glyph to a previouslyregistered glyph. In other embodiments, the device may send datarepresenting the entered glyph to a remote server computer. The remoteserver may have an authentication module (e.g., authentication software)which authenticates the user by comparing the first glyph to apreviously registered glyph. In either case, if the first glyph matchesa previously registered glyph (which may be stored in a databaseaccessible to the remoter server or which may be stored in the deviceitself), then the user is authenticated and the user may then be allowedto proceed with the transaction. Conversely, if the first glyph does notmatch the previously registered glyph, then the user is notauthenticated and the user may not be allowed to proceed with thetransaction. Alternatively, additional authentication steps may berequired before the user can proceed with the transaction. For example,a service provider may request that the user call the service providerand provide additional information (e.g., the user's mother's maidenname) before the transaction can proceed.

At some point in time, the user may then subsequently conduct a secondtransaction using the device (or a different device). The user mayinitiate a second transaction. The same or different device that wasused to conduct the first transaction may then display a secondauthentication image. The second authentication image may comprise theplurality of image elements comprising the set of image elements.

In the second authentication image, however, the image elements in theset of image elements are located at a second set of positions on thedisplay screen. The second set of positions is different than the firstset of positions.

A second glyph having a second configuration corresponding to the set ofimage elements is received from a user while the second authenticationimage is displayed. Because the positions of the image elements that aredisplayed during the second transaction are different than the positionsof the image elements that are displayed during the first transaction,and because the second glyph will correspond to the same set of imageelements, the first and second glyphs will have differentconfigurations.

Referring to FIG. 4( b), for example, during the second transaction, thedisplay 410 may display a second authentication image with the same setof dots 302(a)-302(i) as in the first authentication image shown in FIG.4( a). However, in the second authentication image shown in FIG. 4( a),the dots 302(a), 302(d), 302(g), and 302(h) are at different positionsthan the positions shown in the first authentication image in FIG. 4(a). The user may enter a second glyph into the phone 300 to connect thedots 302(a), 302(d), 302(g), and 302(h). Because the dots 302(a),302(d), 302(g), and 302(h) in the second authentication image are atdifferent positions than in the first authentication image, the secondglyph 312 has a different configuration than the first glyph 310.

Similar to the authentication of the first glyph, the second glyph isverified for accuracy.

Although first and second glyphs and first and second transactions arediscussed herein in the context of two consecutive transactions, it isunderstood that many more glyphs and transactions can be used in otherembodiments of the invention.

The authentication images in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) comprise arrays of twodimensional objects such as dots. Other two-dimensional image elementsinclude streets or landmarks in maps, walls of mazes, etc. Whensuccessive authentication images are presented to the user in successivetransactions, the image elements in those authentication images changepositions or change in some other way. For example, differentauthentication images may be rotated with respect to each other, mayhave different sizes with respect to each other, may be shifted relativeto each other, etc.

Maps can be particularly useful as authentication images. For example,an authentication image may include a map that the user is intimatelyfamiliar with. For example, the map may include the user's home locationand the user's work location. The user may know his preferred route fromhome to work, and back to home. This path could form the user'sauthentication glyph. The orientation of the map (e.g., right-side up,and then up-side down) could change with each transaction, so that theconfiguration of the entered glyph changes for each transaction. Anotherexample of a useful map may be a map of a recreational site (e.g., anamusement park) that the user frequents. For example, the map may be amap of Disneyland. The user's authentication glyph may be the preferredride sequence that the user takes through Disneyland.

Embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. First, becausethe image elements in the authentication images that are used toauthenticate a user during a transaction change, the glyphs that areentered into devices used by a user are constantly changing. Unlike anordinary signature, this makes it much more difficult for anunauthorized person to replicate, and therefore use in an unauthorizedmanner. For example, even if an unauthorized person intercepts anelectronic signature from a user's phone or computer, the datarepresenting the signature would be of little value. Unlike a staticsignature, it could not be used again in a subsequent transaction, sincethe actual glyphs received by the device have different configurationsfor different authentication images. Second, if a remote server computerchanges the authentication images in a predetermined or random way, theunauthorized person would not be able to reproduce the correct glyph,even if the consumer's portable consumer device is stolen. Third,embodiments of the invention have advantages over biometricauthentication mechanisms. For example, complex electronics are notrequired in embodiments of the invention, but are required in biometricauthentication mechanisms. Further, with biometrics, once biometric dataare stolen, the biometric data can be reused. In contrast, inembodiments of the invention, if a person steals a glyph during atransaction (e.g., by looking at the user while the user creates theglyph), the glyph will not be used to authenticate the user during thenext transaction so the stolen glyph is useless.

Specific embodiments of the invention further details regardingembodiments of the invention are provided below. FIG. 1 shows a systemwhich can be used in embodiments of the invention. Note that embodimentsof the invention may use all or only some of the components shown inFIG. 1.

Additional embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below.

I. Systems

FIG. 1 shows a system 20 that can be used in an embodiment of theinvention.

The system 20 includes a first merchant (“A”) 22 and an acquirer 24associated with the first merchant 22. The first merchant 22 may be atraditional merchant that the consumer 30 can physically go to conduct atransaction. The first merchant 22 may operate an access device 34,which may be in communication with a payment processing network 26. Thepayment processing network 26 may be in communication with an issuer 28.The issuer 28 can either issue the portable consumer device 32 or anelectronic token (such as an electronic payment card) that is stored inthe portable consumer device 32 to the consumer 30.

The system 20 can also include a second merchant (“B”) 44, which maycommunicate with the consumer 30 via the Internet 38. Second merchant B44 may have a server computer 44(a), which may operate a host site44(a)-1. The consumer 30 can use a consumer device 40 to conducttransactions with the second merchant 44 by contacting the host site44(a)-1 via the Internet 38. The consumer device 40 may comprise anauthentication module 40′.

Each of the components in FIG. 1 is described in further detail below.

The consumer 30 may be an individual, or an organization such as abusiness that is capable of purchasing goods or services.

The portable consumer device 32 may be in any suitable form. Forexample, suitable portable consumer devices can be hand-held and compactso that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g.,pocket-sized). Examples of portable consumer devices include cellularphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, etc. The portableconsumer devices can also be debit, credit, or stored-value devices.

The portable consumer device 32 may comprise an authentication module32′. It may comprise hardware and/or software for facilitating theauthentication process. For example, it may comprise code for storingpreviously registered authentication glyphs, code for sending a receivedauthentication glyph to a remote server computer, etc.

The consumer device 40 may be a portable consumer device 32.Alternatively, the consumer device 40 can be non-portable in nature. Forexample, the consumer device 40 could be a kiosk or stand-alone computerterminal that is not ordinarily moved. It may also comprise anauthentication module 40′, which may have similar functions and/orcharacteristics as the authentication module 30′.

The consumer device 40 or the portable consumer device 32 may comprise acomputer readable medium and a display coupled to a processor. Thecomputer readable medium may comprise (i) code for displaying a firstauthentication image comprising a plurality of image elements comprisinga set of image elements, wherein the image elements in the set of imageelements are located at a first set of positions on a display screen,(ii) code for receiving a first glyph having a first configurationcorresponding to the set of image elements from a user while the firstauthentication image is displayed, (iii) code for displaying a secondauthentication image comprising the plurality of image elementscomprising the set of image elements, wherein the image elements in theset of image elements are located at a second set of positions on thedisplay screen, wherein the second set of positions is different thanthe first set of positions, and (iv) code for receiving a second glyphhaving a second configuration corresponding to the set of image elementsfrom a user while the second authentication image is displayed. It mayalso have code for providing a first indication that the first glyph isor is not considered authentic, and code for providing a secondindication that the second glyph is or is not considered authentic.

In other embodiments of the invention, the consumer device 40 or theportable consumer device 32 may comprise a computer readable medium anda display coupled to a processor. The computer readable medium maycomprise code for displaying a first image element, receiving a glyph,wherein the glyph is created by moving the first image element from afirst position relative to a second image element to a second positionrelative to the second image element, and code for sending anauthentication message comprising data representing the glyph to aservice provider.

The payment processing system 26 may include data processing subsystems,networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorizationservices, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services.An exemplary payment processing system may include VisaNet™. Paymentprocessing systems such as VisaNet™ are able to process credit cardtransactions, debit card transactions, and other types of commercialtransactions. VisaNet™, in particular, includes a VIP system (VisaIntegrated Payments system) which processes authorization requests and aBase II system which performs clearing and settlement services.

The payment processing system 26 may include a server computer 26(a)operatively coupled to a database 26(b). A server computer is typicallya powerful computer or cluster of computers. For example, the servercomputer can be a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a group ofservers functioning as a unit. In one example, the server computer maybe a database server coupled to a Web server. The payment processingnetwork 26 may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including theInternet.

The server computer 26 may operate a host site 26(a)-1. The host site26(a)-1 may allow the consumer 30 to select or upload authenticationimages, and may allow the consumer 30 to manage an account.

The server computer 26(a) may also comprise an authentication modulelike the authentication module 32′ in the portable consumer device 32.

As noted above, the first merchant 22 may also have, or may receivecommunications from, an access device 34 that can interact with theportable consumer device 32. The access devices according to embodimentsof the invention can be in any suitable form. Examples of access devicesinclude point of sale (POS) devices, cellular phones, PDAs, personalcomputers (PCs), tablet PCs, handheld specialized readers, set-topboxes, electronic cash registers (ECRs), automated teller machines(ATMs), virtual cash registers (VCRs), kiosks, security systems, accesssystems, and the like.

If the access device 34 is a point of sale terminal, any suitable pointof sale terminal may be used including readers such as portable consumerdevice readers. The card readers may include any suitable contact orcontactless mode of operation. For example, exemplary card readers caninclude RF (radio frequency) antennas, magnetic stripe readers, etc. tointeract with the portable consumer devices 32.

In a typical purchase transaction in a portable consumer device-presenttype of transaction, the consumer 30 purchases a good or service atmerchant A 22 using the wireless portable consumer device 32 such as amobile phone. The consumer's wireless portable consumer device 32 caninteract with an access device 34 such as a POS (point of sale) terminalat merchant A 22. For example, the consumer 30 may take a wireless phoneand may pass it near a contactless reader in a POS terminal.

An authorization request message is then forwarded to the acquirer 24.After receiving the authorization request message, the authorizationrequest message is then sent to the payment processing system 26. Thepayment processing system 26 then forwards the authorization requestmessage to the issuer 28 of the portable consumer device 32.

After the issuer 28 receives the authorization request message, theissuer 28 sends an authorization response message back to the paymentprocessing system 26 to indicate whether or not the current transactionis authorized (or not authorized). The transaction processing system 26then forwards the authorization response message back to the acquirer24. The acquirer 24 then sends the response message back to merchant A22.

After the merchant 22 receives the authorization response message, theaccess device 34 at the merchant 22 may then provide the authorizationresponse message for the consumer 30. The response message may bedisplayed by the POS terminal, or may be printed out on a receipt.

In an Internet-based type of transaction, the consumer 30 may log ontothe merchant's host site 44(a)-1, and may purchase items using theconsumer device 44(a), which may be a personal computer with a standardInternet browser and operating system such as a Windows™ based operatedsystem. The server computer 44(a) operated by the merchant 44 may sendthe authorization request message to the issuer 28 via the paymentprocessing network 26. As in the portable consumer device-present typeof transaction, the issuer 28 approves or declines the transaction, andan authorization response message can be sent to the merchant 44, andeventually to the consumer 30 via the consumer device 40.

The authentication processes described herein can be used in bothportable consumer device-present types of transactions, as well asInternet based purchasing methods. Glyph authentication processes can beperformed using a portable consumer device, consumer device, and accessdevice.

At the end of the day, in both the portable consumer device-present andInternet type of transactions, a normal clearing and settlement processcan be conducted by the payment processing system 26. A clearing processis a process of exchanging financial details between an acquirer and anissuer to facilitate posting to a consumer's account and reconciliationof the consumer's settlement position. Clearing and settlement can occursimultaneously.

II. Registration Methods

In some embodiments of the invention, a consumer 30 may register anauthentication glyph with a service provider such as an organizationthat runs a payment processing network 26 or an issuer 28. For example,the consumer 30 may first use the consumer device 40 to contact the hostsite 26(a)-1 on the server computer 26(a) in the payment processingnetwork 26 (step 130). In other embodiments, the consumer 30 can use theportable consumer device 32 to contact the payment processing network130 directly (e.g., via communication channel 58).

After contacting the host site 26(a)-1, the consumer 30 can select oneor more authentication images. There are a number of ways to selectauthentication images. For example, when the consumer 30 is logged ontothe host site 26(a)-1, the consumer 30 can select an authenticationimage from a library of authentication images on the host site 26(a)-1.Alternatively, the consumer 30 can upload his own private collection ofimages to the host site 26(a)-1. For example, the consumer 30 may have apicture, pictures, or video of his favorite mountain at his favorite skiresort and this can be uploaded to the host site 26(a)-1 and may be usedas the consumer's authentication image. Such authentication images maybe stored in the database 26(b).

If the authentication image is to have a three-dimensional object suchas a mountain in it, then the consumer 30 may upload at least two imagesof the object from different perspectives to the host site 26(a)-1. Theat least two images may include first and second authentication images.Alternatively, commercially available digital image rendering softwarecan be used to render any missing parts of a three dimensional objectusing pictures of various objects taken from different perspectives.

The server computer 26(a) may then send a request message to the user'sconsumer device 40. The request message may ask that the user draw aglyph corresponding to the selected authentication image. Once the userdraws the glyph on the consumer device 40, the glyph may be stored inthe database 26(b) by the server computer 26(a). The glyph configurationmay have a shape corresponding to the set of image elements in theplurality of image elements. This way, the payment processing network 26can use the stored authentication image and the corresponding glyph toverify that any future data representing the glyph that is received atthe server computer 26(b) are authentic. At this point, the glyph isregistered (step 134) and this may be characterized as an“authentication glyph.” Each time the set of images objects is presentedto the user in a different authentication image, then can be rearrangedand the server computer 26(a) can verify the authenticity of a receivedglyph if it corresponds to the particular set of image elements. Theglyph and the authentication image may alternatively or additionallystored in an authentication module 32′ in the portable consumer device32 or in an authentication module 40′ in the consumer device 40. If theauthentication glyph is stored locally in the portable consumer device32 or the consumer device 40, the portable consumer device 32 or theconsumer device 40 can verify that the received glyphs correspond to theauthentication glyph.

III. Authentication Methods

Authentication methods can be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3,and 5(a) and 5(b).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a consumer 30 may first initiate atransaction using the portable consumer device 32 (at step 206). Theconsumer 30 may be shopping for goods at the merchant A 22 and may placethe portable consumer device 32 close to or in contact with the accessdevice 34 during the transaction.

Before or after the portable consumer device 32 is placed close to or incontact with the access device 34, the display screen on the consumer'sportable consumer device 32 may display a first authentication image(step 208).

The consumer 30 may then enter a first glyph into the portable consumerdevice 32 and the portable consumer device 32 may then receive the firstglyph (step 210). The consumer 30 may use a stylus or a finger to drawthe first glyph on the display screen of the portable consumer device32.

After receiving the first glyph, the portable consumer device 32 maythen send an authentication request message including data representingthe glyph to the server computer 26(a). This can be done bycommunicating directly with the payment processing network 26 (as shownby line 58) using a mobile telephone carrier network or the like.Alternatively, this can be done by sending the authentication requestmessage to the access device 34, which then passes it to the paymentprocessing network 26 via the acquirer 28.

The server computer 26(a) then determines if the received datarepresenting the glyph is authentic by comparing the data to datarepresenting the authentic glyph that is stored in the database 26(b).If the glyphs match or otherwise correspond to each other, then theserver computer 26(a) sends an authentication response message back tothe portable consumer device 32. This can be done directly through adirect communication channel 58 between the portable consumer device andthe payment processing network 26, or through the acquirer 24, merchant22, and access device 34. If the glyph is determined to be authentic,then the authentication request message may be indicate this and theconsumer 30 may proceed with the purchase transaction as describedabove. If it is not authentic, then the organization that operates thepayment processing network 26 can send another authentication request tothe consumer 30, or may not allow the consumer 30 to proceed with thetransaction.

In other embodiments, an authentication module 32′ in the portableconsumer device may perform the authentication functions describedabove.

At some point in time, the consumer 30 could then initiate a secondtransaction in the same manner with the portable consumer device 32(step 216). In yet other embodiments, the issuer 28 can perform thefunctions that the payment processing network 26 are performing.

Before the consumer is allowed to perform the transaction, the portableconsumer device 32 may display the second authentication image (step218). The second authentication image may differ from the firstauthentication image in any suitable way. For example, the imageelements in the first and second authentication images can berearranged, rotated, etc.

After the second authentication image is displayed, the portableconsumer device 32 then receives the second authentication glyph fromthe consumer 30 (step 220). As noted above, the consumer 30 may use astylus or a finger to draw the second glyph on the display screen.

The portable consumer device 32 then sends the second authenticationglyph to the server computer 26(a) (step 222).

The server computer 26(a) then determines if the received datarepresenting the second glyph is authentic. If it is, then the servercomputer 26(a) then sends an authentication request message back to theportable consumer device 32, and the portable consumer device 32receives this message (step 224). If the glyph is determined to beauthentic, then the authentication request message may be indicate thisand the consumer 30 may proceed with the purchase transaction asdescribed above. If it is not authentic, then the organization thatoperates the payment processing network 26 can send anotherauthentication request to the consumer 30, or may not allow the consumer30 to proceed with the transaction.

In some embodiments, a separate authentication request message andauthentication response message may not be respectively sent andreceived. In some embodiments, an authentication request and responsemay be respectively included in a traditional authorization requestmessage and a traditional authentication response message.

The first and second authentication images in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b)include images of two-dimensional objects. In other embodiments, theauthentication images can include images of three-dimensional objects.This is illustrated in FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b). Compared to glyphs drawnrelative to two-dimensional image elements, glyphs drawn onthree-dimensional image elements are much harder for an unauthorizedperson to break, since an additional layer of complexity is provide bythe three-dimensional nature of the object depicted.

The first authentication image in FIG. 5( a) shows a ski resort. Thisauthentication image may be displayed on the display screen of theuser's portable consumer device when the user conducts a firsttransaction. The ski resort includes a number of towers 418, 420, 422,424, 426, 428. Ski lift cables 411, 412, 414, and 416 are strung betweenpairs of adjacent towers 418, 420, 422, 424, 426, 428. Other objectsincluding rocks 426, 429, 430 and ski lodges 432, 434 are also shown. Anumber of ski paths 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 are also shown in FIG. 5(a). The various objects (e.g., the slope of the mountain, the rocks,etc.) in FIG. 5( a) can be three-dimensional image elements.

When conducting a first transaction, a user may draw a first glyphrelative to the objects in the authentication image shown in FIG. 5( a).The first glyph may represent a preferred ski path typically taken bythe user when the user visits the ski resort. For example, the user maytypically take the ski lift from tower 418, to tower 420, to tower 422,and then down path 402 to ski lodge 434. The image elements 418, 420,422, and 434 may be included in a first set of image elements.

When conducting a second transaction, the second authentication imageshown in FIG. 5( b) may be displayed on the display on the consumer'sportable consumer device. The second authentication image includes thesame objects as in the first authentication image shown in FIG. 5( a).However, in FIG. 5( b), the objects are rotated as if the entiremountain is rotated.

The user can then draw a second glyph on the second authentication imageshown in FIG. 5( b). The second glyph may be formed when the user takeshis finger and draws a line from the ski lift from tower 418, to tower420, to tower 422, and then down path 402 to ski lodge 434. Becauseimage elements 418, 420, 422, and 434 in the set of image elements inthe first authentication image and the second authentication image arein different positions, the first and second glyphs may have differentconfigurations, but may still be used to authenticate the user.

In the examples specifically described above, the authentication glyphsare drawn by a user relative to image elements in the authenticationimages. In other embodiments, an authentication glyph may include themovement of one image element relative to another image element. Themovement thereof may embody an authentication glyph. Thus, anothermethod according to an embodiment of the invention may includedisplaying a first image element, receiving a glyph, wherein the glyphis created by moving the first image element from a first positionrelative to a second image element to a second position relative to asecond image element, and sending an authentication message comprisingdata representing the glyph to a service provider.

As used herein, a “service provider” can be any entity that wants to orcan authenticate the user or consumer. Examples of service providersinclude issuers and payment processing organizations.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) show two display screens that can be used toillustrate the creation of two glyphs.

In FIG. 6( a), two squares 602, 604 are shown in an overlappingrelationship on a display screen. The squares 602, 604 may be differentcolors. In this embodiment, the user may authenticate himself by puttingtwo fingers on points 604(a), 604(b). The user may move the two fingers,while dragging the square 604 to the position shown in FIG. 6( b). Themovement of two fingers across the screen 600 may represent two glyphsthat are simultaneously formed. The two glyphs can be used toauthenticate the user.

By having the user form at least two glyphs substantiallysimultaneously, it is possible to increase (e.g., factorially) theuser's signature data. In addition to the configuration of the formedglyphs, the curve, velocity, path, etc. can be used to characterize auser's glyph. Any of this information may be previously registered withan appropriate service provider as described above, and stored in anappropriate authentication module.

FIG. 7 shows a graphic user interface with a control region and variousimages of persons (e.g., avatars) 802, 804, 806, 808 that can bemanipulated to form glyphs. This can be characterized as an animationbuilder. A user may pick a scene, and then move around the avatar inthat scene.

To form a glyph, the user may touch has finger to the hand of the male806 and may drag the male 806 by his hand to the hand of the female 808as shown by arrow 820. The selection of the male 806 and the movement ofthe male's hand to the female 808 may form a glyph. This glyph may beused to authenticate the user each time the user uses his authenticateshimself in a transaction. In this embodiment, the selection of theparticular image elements (e.g., the male 806 and the female 808) canform one piece of information that can help authenticate the user.Another piece of information may include the glyph that is formed bymoving the hand of the male 806 to the hand of the female 808. The actsof picking image elements and forming a glyph increase the amount ofauthentication data, thereby making the authentication process secureand reliable.

FIG. 7 also shows a number of scroll bars 810, 812, 822. A user maychoose from a variety of different authentication images categoriesincluding ski, dance, and drink. There may also be subcategories such assalsa, square dance, and mamba within the authentication image category“dance.” A vertical scroll bar 822 can allow one to select categories orsubcategories of authentication images.

In embodiments of the invention different types of authentication imagesmay be used in conjunction with different environments. Different typesof environments may require different levels of security. For example,if a user is using a home computer, the user may use a firstauthentication image and a first authentication glyph may be associatedwith that first authentication image. If the user is using a phone,there is limited visibility, and a second authentication glyph may beassociated with the second authentication image. If the user is at abar, the there is significant visibility, and a third authenticationglyph may be associated with the third authentication image. Thus,different channels and/or different environments may use different typesof authentication images and authentication glyphs. Thus, embodiments ofthe invention also include computer readable media comprising code forallowing a user to select different types of authentication images toallow for different environments and/or payment channels. The computerreadable medium may reside in the above-described devices, or servercomputers.

IV. Portable Consumer Devices and Computer Apparatuses

FIGS. 8-9 show block diagrams of portable computer devices andsubsystems that may be present in computer apparatuses in systemsaccording to embodiments of the invention.

The portable consumer device 32 may be in any suitable form. Forexample, suitable portable consumer devices can be hand-held and compactso that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g.,pocket-sized). Examples of portable consumer devices include cellularphones (e.g., the phone described above), personal digital assistants(PDAs), pagers, transponders, and the like. The portable consumerdevices can also be debit devices, credit devices, or stored valuedevices.

An exemplary portable consumer device 32′ in the form of a phone maycomprise a computer readable medium and a body as shown in FIG. 8. (FIG.8 shows a number of components, and the portable consumer devicesaccording to embodiments of the invention may comprise any suitablecombination or subset of such components.) The computer readable medium32(b) may be present within the body 32(h), or may be detachable fromit. The body 32(h) may be in the form a plastic substrate, housing, orother structure. The computer readable medium 32(b) may be a memory thatstores data and may be in any suitable form including a magnetic stripe,a memory chip, uniquely derived keys (such as those described above),encryption algorithms, etc. The memory also preferably storesinformation such as financial information, transit information (e.g., asin a subway or train pass), access information (e.g., as in accessbadges), etc. Financial information may include information such as bankaccount information, bank identification number (BIN), credit or debitcard number information, account balance information, expiration date,consumer information such as name, date of birth, etc. Any of thisinformation may be transmitted by the portable consumer device 32.

Information in the memory may also be in the form of data tracks thatare traditionally associated with credits cards. Such tracks includeTrack 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International Air Transport Association”)stores more information than Track 2, and contains the cardholder's nameas well as account number and other discretionary data. This track issometimes used by the airlines when securing reservations with a creditcard. Track 2 (“American Banking Association”) is currently mostcommonly used. This is the track that is read by ATMs and credit cardcheckers. The ABA (American Banking Association) designed thespecifications of this track and all world banks must abide by it. Itcontains the cardholder's account, encrypted PIN, plus otherdiscretionary data.

The portable consumer device 32 may further include a contactlesselement 32(g), which is typically implemented in the form of asemiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with an associatedwireless transfer (e.g., data transmission) element, such as an antenna.Contactless element 32(g) is associated with (e.g., embedded within)portable consumer device 32 and data or control instructions transmittedvia a cellular network may be applied to contactless element 32(g) bymeans of a contactless element interface (not shown). The contactlesselement interface functions to permit the exchange of data and/orcontrol instructions between the mobile device circuitry (and hence thecellular network) and an optional contactless element 32(g).

Contactless element 32(g) is capable of transferring and receiving datausing a near field communications (“NFC”) capability (or near fieldcommunications medium) typically in accordance with a standardizedprotocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near fieldcommunications capability is a short-range communications capability,such as RFID, Bluetooth™, infra-red, or other data transfer capabilitythat can be used to exchange data between the portable consumer device32 and an interrogation device. Thus, the portable consumer device 32 iscapable of communicating and transferring data and/or controlinstructions via both cellular network and near field communicationscapability.

The portable consumer device 32 may also include a processor 32(c)(e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the portableconsumer device 32 and a display 32(d) to allow a consumer to see phonenumbers and other information and messages. The portable consumer device32 may further include input elements 32(e) to allow a consumer to inputinformation into the device, a speaker 32(f) to allow the consumer tohear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone 32(i) to allowthe consumer to transmit her voice through the portable consumer device32. The portable consumer device 32 may also include an antenna 32(a)for wireless data transfer (e.g., data transmission).

The various participants and elements in FIG. 1 may operate one or morecomputer apparatuses to facilitate the functions described herein. Anyof the elements in FIG. 1 (e.g., the server computers, the consumerdevice 40, etc.) may use any suitable number of subsystems to facilitatethe functions described herein. Examples of such subsystems orcomponents are shown in FIG. 9. The subsystems shown in FIG. 9 areinterconnected via a system bus 775. Additional subsystems such as aprinter 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779 (or other memory comprisingcomputer readable media), monitor 776, which is coupled to displayadapter 782, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output (I/O)devices, which couple to I/O controller 771, can be connected to thecomputer system by any number of means known in the art, such as serialport 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781 can beused to connect the computer apparatus to a wide area network such asthe Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. The interconnectionvia system bus allows the central processor 773 to communicate with eachsubsystem and to control the execution of instructions from systemmemory 772 or the fixed disk 779, as well as the exchange of informationbetween subsystems. The system memory 772 and/or the fixed disk 779 mayembody a computer readable medium.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above-describedembodiments. For example, although separate functional blocks are shownfor an issuer, payment processing system, and acquirer, some entitiesperform all of these functions and may be included in embodiments ofinvention.

It should be understood that the present invention as described abovecan be implemented in the form of control logic using computer softwarein a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachingsprovided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know andappreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present inventionusing hardware and a combination of hardware and software

Any of the software components or functions described in thisapplication, may be implemented as software code to be executed by aprocessor using any suitable computer language such as, for example,Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-orientedtechniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions,or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as ahard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Anysuch computer readable medium may reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claimsalong with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one ormore features of any other embodiment without departing from the scopeof the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processor; a displayscreen coupled to the processor; and a computer readable medium coupledto the processor, the computer readable medium comprising codeexecutable by the processor, for implementing a method comprising:displaying an authentication image on the display screen comprising aplurality of image elements comprising a set of image elements, whereinthe plurality of image elements in the set of image elements are locatedat a set of fixed positions on the display screen; receiving a glyphcomprising a single continuous stroke drawn by a user on the displayscreen without pausing that sequentially connects at least two of theplurality of image elements of the set of image elements of theauthentication image, wherein the glyph comprises a configurationcorresponding to the set of fixed positions displayed on the displayscreen, and wherein the plurality of image elements are separate from akeyboard of the device and are configured to change positions with eachsuccessive authentication image for each separate transaction;determining if the glyph is authentic; and initiating a paymenttransaction after receiving the glyph.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinthe display screen comprises a touch screen, which is capable ofallowing a user to input data into the device by touching the touchscreen with a finger or a stylus.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein thecomputer readable medium also stores code for at least one accountnumber associated with at least one of a debit card or credit card. 4.The device of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises: providing anindication that the glyph is or is not considered authentic.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the set of image elements displayed on thedisplay screen at the set of positions provides a visual aid to the userto assist drawing the glyph on the screen.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the glyph is generated by the user moving a first image elementof the set of image elements form a first position, relative to a secondimage element, to a second position relative to the second imageelement.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the glyph drawn by the useris not displayed on the display screen.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein successive authentication images are presented to the user insuccessive transactions, wherein image elements of the set of imageelements change positions with each successive authentication image. 9.The device of claim 8, wherein the glyphs have different configurationsbased on different authentication images.
 10. A method comprising:displaying, on a display screen of a device, an authentication imagecomprising a plurality of image elements comprising a set of imageelements, wherein the plurality of image elements in the set of imageelements are located at a set of fixed positions on the display screen;receiving, at the device, a glyph comprising a single continuous strokedrawn by a user on the display screen without pausing that sequentiallyconnects at least two of the plurality of image elements of the set ofimage elements of the authentication image, the glyph having aconfiguration corresponding to the set of fixed positions of the set ofimage elements displayed on the display screen, wherein the plurality ofimage elements are separate from a keyboard of the device and areconfigured to change positions with each successive authentication imagefor each separate transaction; determining if the glyph is authentic;and initiating a payment transaction after receiving the glyph.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising: after receiving the glyph,providing an indication that the glyph is or is not consideredauthentic.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein initiating a paymenttransaction comprises sending an authorization request message to apayment processing network or an issuer, wherein the authorizationrequest message requests approval of the payment transaction by thepayment processing network or the issuer.
 13. The method of claim 10wherein the authentication image comprises a three dimensional imageelement.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the payment transaction is apurchase made over the Internet.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein thepurchase transaction is conducted at a physical point of sale.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the set of image elements displayed on thedisplay screen at the set of positions provides a visual aid to the userto assist drawing the glyph on the screen.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the glyph is generated by the user moving a first image elementof the set of image elements form a first position, relative to a secondimage element, to a second position relative to the second imageelement.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the glyph drawn by the useris not displayed on the display screen.
 19. The method of claim 10,further comprising presenting successive authentication images to theuser in successive transactions, wherein image elements of the set ofimage elements change positions with each successive authenticationimage.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the glyphs have differentconfigurations based on different authentication images.
 21. A methodcomprising: receiving, using a device having a display screen, a glyphcomprising a single continuous stroke drawn by a user on the displayscreen without pausing that sequentially connects at least two of aplurality of image elements of a set of image elements of anauthentication image displayed on the display screen, wherein theplurality of image elements in the set of image elements are located ata set of fixed positions on the display screen and the glyph comprises aconfiguration corresponding to the set of fixed positions, and whereinthe plurality of image elements are separate from a keyboard of thedevice and are configured to change positions on the display with eachsuccessive authentication image for separate transactions; determiningif the glyph is authentic; and receiving payment transaction data afterreceiving the glyph and conducting a transaction using the paymenttransaction data.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the display is partof a phone.